Red and white book of Menzies

a.d. 1395-1411.] THE BELOVED SHIELD-BEARER OF KING ROBERT II 95
In 1395, on the occasion of Sir Robert Menzies receiving the barony
of Vogry, he had to give his mother a liferent of the lands of Culter.
Nisbet says, p. 244, vol. ii. : — " Betwixt the said John (Menzies, his father)
and Robert, his son and heir, anno 1395, whereby Robert became bound
to dispose to Christian de Meyners, his mother, the liferent of the lands
of Culter."
Sir Robert the Menzies, after the death of his kinsman King Robert II., with
whom he stood in the greatest friendship, does not appear to have figured
so much at Court as previously. After the accession of King Robert III., his
cousin, there does not appear to have been the same friendship existing, perhaps
through the scheming influence of the Duke of Albany. After his father's death,
he evidently maintained the friendship with the Earl of Mar that had existed
between the Earl and his father, who, as companions in war, had gained the
great victory at Liege, and to whom, mainly for his courage, skill, and valour,
may be ascribed the great fame which the Earl of Mar at this time held as a
leader, warrior, and general.
The earldom of Ross having become vacant by the death of the Wolf of
Badenoch, the earldom was claimed by the Regent (the Duke of Albany) for
his second son the Earl of Buchan. It was also claimed by Donald, Lord of
the Isles, who, to enforce his claim, in 141 1, with an army of about 10,000
Islemen and Highlanders, landed on the mainland and carried all before them
until they entered Mar, intending to plunder Aberdeen, and ravish the country to
the banks of the river Tay. They got as far as the Menzies lands of Garioch,
in Aberdeenshire, and encamped at the village of Harlaw. Mar had collected
an army of the flower of the Highland gentry of Aberdeenshire, Perthshire,
Athole, and the surrounding districts, mostly clad in armour and mounted on
steeds ; the chiefs of the central clans, followed by their clans, and a full muster
of the citizens of Aberdeen, led by Provost Davidson and Gilbert Menzies of
Pitfodels, his successor, who held these lands of Garioch. It is evident Sir Robert
Menzies was also there, with a portion of Clan Menzies, to support his father's
friend and companion in arms. On sighting the army of the Lord of the Isles,
Mar, although only about a tenth of their numbers, resolved to give them battle,
and drew up his army accordingly. On a signal, the Islemen and Highlanders,
shouting their war cries, rushed upon Mar's army. They were, however, received
with great firmne§s, both sides fighting with the greatest bravery and determina-
tion. Great was the slaughter on both sides, in which Clan Menzies lost
their beloved chief. Mar and his followers kept up the fatal struggle till
nightfall, when darkness alone put an end to the battle, which was fought on
the Eve of St James, 25th July 141 1. Practically, neither party gained a victory,
but those of the mainland held their ground and the Islemen fell back, so that